With milk allergies being one of the major pediatric concerns for parents, it’s important to have good information to help your child deal with this discomfort. North Texas families tend to have many allergens to be aware of, including multiple environmental, food and skin (contact) allergies. But milk is a special one, as it’s a food readily associated with healthy childhood development. So how can parents help their children thrive? It starts with allergy testing and treatment at a local allergy treatment center. And today, we’re sharing valuable information to help you as you help your kids.
What Should Parents Know About Milk Allergy in Children?
Dealing with a milk allergy can seem daunting, especially when it comes to children and their developing systems. But as with many subjects, knowledge is a key part of working through unease and starting to live a healthy life, even in the face of challenges. The following information includes important things to know about milk allergies to help your children.
You Can Help Your Child Understand Their Milk Allergy
A big part of living with a food allergy is helping your child understand that their body responds differently to a particular food or foods. To do this without raising their anxiety, there are many tips for teaching your child about their food allergies. These include ways to help them gain confidence and feel more in control of their food decisions. Communicating clearly with your child helps them develop the communication skills they need to share with others about their allergies.
Are Milk Allergies Limited to Cow’s Milk?
Cow’s milk allergy (CMA) represents only one milk allergen. Milk from other mammals such as goats or sheep can contain proteins similar to cows, and can trigger the same allergic reaction. The best way to find out what milks or additional allergens elicit a reaction in your child is to visit an allergist for thorough allergy testing.
Can a Child Outgrow Allergic Reactions to Milk?
According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, between 2–3% of children under 3 years old are allergic to milk. That said, by age 16, approximately 80% are likely to have outgrown their milk allergy. But even with these favorable numbers, many adults do live with milk allergies, so seeking answers and treatment is still the best option.
What Are Treatment Options for Food Allergens?
Today there are many innovative treatment options available to children for their food allergies. These include oral immunotherapy (OIT) and sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT). Both are desensitization routines that young children can begin to help them develop a tolerance to their allergen. Such treatments tend to show positive outcomes over time.
Emergency Situations
Food allergens like milk can cause alarming emergency situations such as anaphylaxis. While it is one of the major food allergens, milk is in many products, and accidental ingestion can occur—at school, a friend’s home, or when a family is enjoying a meal out. It’s important to always have at least two epinephrine auto-injectors available to your child. Ensure that your child’s school and other parents know about the allergy. If an allergic reaction occurs and an auto-injector is used, be sure to call emergency services as well.
Navigating your child’s milk allergy is a matter of having good information, practicing healthy steps with them, and visiting a trusted food allergist for pediatric allergy testing and treatment. While food allergies can be unsettling, with your family’s diligence and an amazing allergy care center supporting you, there will be much less to worry about than you may initially think.
Call the #1 Milk Allergy Treatment Center North Texans Trust
Dr. Mireku and the staff at both locations of TexasAllergyMD are known for their compassionate care of pediatric and adult allergy patients, especially for food allergies like milk. Families in McKinney/Prosper and Southlake have seen great improvements in their quality of life. Request an appointment now, or give us a call at (469) 375-1525 to start allergy testing and treatment.
